Yaakov Wider, a member of the Bnei Brak City Council and chairman of the Likud faction in the city, today (Tuesday) addressed Mayor Hanoch Seibert with an urgent query and a request for disclosure of documents. This follows reports that the mayor and senior municipal officials flew to the United States, allegedly in first class, accompanied by their spouses, and stayed there in luxury hotels - allegedly financed with public funds.
According to reports, the purpose of the trip was defined as "a visit to examine surfing and facilities," and the total cost is estimated to be hundreds of thousands of dollars, ostensibly at the public's expense.
Vider demanded that the mayor immediately respond to whether the reports are correct, and if so, to disclose to the public all documents, approvals, and invoices related to the trip, and to indicate who approved the funding and from what budgetary source it was made.
In the query, Vider wrote, under the title "Urgent query and disclosure of documents regarding: Reports of a luxurious pleasure flight and luxury hotels for the mayor and top Bnei Brak municipality officials accompanied by their spouses - allegedly at the expense of the residents":
""If one could think that the public had already seen everything in the brazen and detached conduct of Bnei Brak municipality officials - it seems that new records are being broken again. Bnei Brak residents are among the poorest in Israel - many of them have difficulty making ends meet and are debating at the grocery store whether to buy milk or bread for their children, because there is not enough for both.".
""At the same time, according to serious information that reached me from a source in the mayor's office, it was reported that the mayor and the city's top officials, accompanied by their wives, went on a luxurious pleasure flight to the United States - including accommodation in luxury hotels and first-class flights - allegedly financed by public funds.
""According to the information, the proposal to finance the trip from the municipal treasury was rejected out of fear that it would have to go through the approval of the city council - 'where Yaakov Wider is also present and could blow up the plan.' Instead, it was claimed, it was decided to use the funds of the economic company - which also belongs to the public, because there 'it would be easier to spend the money.'".
It was also claimed that the reason chosen to justify the luxurious trip was 'checking surfing and amusement facilities.'".
Wieder adds and writes: "According to estimates, this amounts to hundreds of thousands of dollars. I do not have an investigative team to check whether the things are true, but it is my duty as a council member - sent by the public to guard its money - to ensure that there is no misuse of public funds and that everything is carried out with full transparency, as required.".
If the information or part of it is incorrect - it is important that this is clarified to the public immediately. Either way, I request a full response and the following documents within three days (!!):
Details of all participants on behalf of the municipality, the economic society, and any municipal or supported body, if there was a recent trip abroad by senior municipal officials.
• The purpose of the official trip - including invitation letters, visit plans, and schedules.
• Accurate breakdown of costs - flights, accommodation, travel, ISL, insurance and related expenses by person and by item.
• Source of funding - the municipality's budget, the economic company's budget or any other source (if any).
• Official decisions and approvals - the board of directors of the economic company or any authorized entity that approved the trip.
• Budget report or trip summary - as prepared before or after the flight.
• Ministry of Interior guidelines or relevant permits for travel on behalf of elected officials and municipal employees.
• Is there any rabbinical approval for a large and expensive delegation to be sent out with public funding?.
The public in Bnei Brak has the right to know what is being done with its money. Refusing to provide information, delaying or providing partial information will oblige me to contact the relevant authorities with a request for a thorough investigation of improper use of public funds.".
In a conversation with Haredim 10, Vider sharply attacked the conduct of the municipal leadership: "How is it possible that in a city where thousands of families are struggling to make ends meet, and parents are debating at the grocery store whether to buy bread or milk because there is no money for both - can the municipal officials behave in such a detached and outrageous manner?""
Vider added: "I also demanded that those who pretend to be 'representatives of the great men of Israel' present one rabbi who permitted this conduct. Only one.".
The mayor's response has not yet been received. It will be published when received.
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